JOYPURHAT, Sept 04: Hundreds of grassroots farmers of the district are happy over the good market price of water spinach.
Farmers of Khetlal, Panchbibi, Akkelpur, Kalai, and Sadar upazilas of the district sowed seed of the leafy vegetable last July and started harvesting the item from the last week of August, said Anarul Islam of Akkelpur upazila of the district.
The Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) office source said growers of the district have cultivated the crop on a vast tract of land.
High market demand and good profit encourage the cultivators to bring more land under the farming of water spinach.
In a recent visit at Panchbibi Kitchen Market this correspondent found each kg of water spinach is being sold at Tk 25 to Tk 30 in the retail market whereas the wholesale rate is between Tk 20 and Tk 25.
"I have cultivated water spinach on 14 decimals of land this season spending Tk 1500," said farmer Shahadat Hossain of Khetlal upazila.
"I have already sold some two maunds of the vegetable at Tk 2,500", the grower said.
He further said he is expecting to earn Tk 10,000 more till the last week of November.
Deputy Director of DAE Sudhindranath Roy said, "We have provided all sorts of support among the farmers to make farming programme a success."
The official said water spinach cultivation is expanding in the district.
